Children's Home run by Gateshead Council in Gateshead

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC036773 1 SC036773

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Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated and managed by a local authority. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five young people who are aged between 12 and 17 who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The manager has been registered since April 2020 and is suitably qualified for the role.

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Information about this children’s home

Ofsted is aware of the challenges that COVID-19 (coronavirus) is currently posing to those we regulate. During this visit, the inspector took into consideration the impact of any measures being taken to slow the spread of COVID-19 by the home. This has included the effect these have on staffing arrangements and the current attendance of the children and young people.

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This monitoring visit

A visit was carried out on 21 August 2020 as an increasing number of safeguarding notifications were indicating that the staff were having difficulties in managing the behaviour of young people. Following that visit, requirements were issued under regulations 12 and 13. Further similar notifications have been received and this additional visit was carried out to ensure that young people are protected and progressing. We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of young people at this monitoring visit.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last monitoring visit, the manager has reviewed and updated all risk assessments and care plans. This ensures that there are clear strategies to help staff better protect young people where there are known risks. The use of the police is no longer detailed in care plans as a strategy to manage behaviour, but as a last resort. As a result, young people are less likely to be criminalised.

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This monitoring visit

The young people continue to go missing from the home. As a result, the manager has reviewed staffing levels and senior management has agreed extra staff hours. This provides for a third person on duty, where required, to spend more time Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC036773 2 supporting young people. The increased staffing levels enable staff to go looking for young people or pick them up before reporting them missing to the police. This targeted approach helps to reduce the potential risk of harm to young people

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This monitoring visit

Young people benefit from building trusting relationships with staff who support them to live in a group living environment. Where there has been conflict between the young people, staff have been quick to support and remind young people of the importance of respect and tolerance of one another. This has enabled young people to repair conflicts and make progress in a more settled home.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 28/05/2019 Full Good 04/09/2018 Full Good 09/01/2018 Full Good 11/01/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC036773 3

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection and following safeguarding concerns raised in notifications to Ofsted.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Caroline O’Neill

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Inspector

Michael Dack, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC036773 4 to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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